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  Discussion on Stallion ring for DrOpping?
Author Message
New Member:
trief

Posted on Sunday, Aug 31, 2008 - 6:18 pm:

I have handled many stallions for many years of all breeds, shapes and sizes, for breeding, A.I. and shows, but this one has me stumped:
I have a 3-1/2 year old Welsh pony stallion in training that has a problem with constantly DrOpping his penis when other horses are present, usually at a show or around other horses in general. I have tried the Vicks and a multitude of different methods of correction to get him to 'pull it up' to no avail. I have tried trotting, circling, backing, a long whip 'flicking' his flanks (never abusive!). He pulls it up only for a few seconds, then it comes down again, even when trotting!

I get the feeling he has no control over it, as if his hormones have gone awry and it seems as if he has no idea that the corrections are for the 'DrOpping'. He will stand/move among other horses most of the time fairly well, he looks, but otherwise he stands well, but just DrOps. He does scream and acts studdy sometimes, but that is not a big problem for me as he listens to me when corrected for that behavior. I generally can handle him pretty well among the horses even in close quarters, but it is the constant DrOpping that I cannot control, and I don't want to make him aggressive or defensive by constantly picking on him for it. One trainer told me to get a stallion ring for him. That is fine, but nowadays it seems next to impossible to find one, not even my vet can find one! Back a number of years ago, one could find them in a catalog once in a while, but not now. I realize they can injure a stallion if not measured correctly, so I will have a vet put it on him the first time and show me how to do it.

Please tell me where in the world I can obtain a stallion ring for him or another way to get him to adjust this behavior.

This stallion is NOT to be gelded, he has exceptional conformation, type, and pedigree, and it would be a total shame to geld this one. His owner would rather hide him at home and keep him just for breeding than geld him. He is extremely talented, responsive and intelligent otherwise during his western pleasure training in progress now. He is not aggressive, and when by himself he is a model student and is very easy to handle and train, and generally has a very good disposition. Just this constant DrOpping...
Member:
mrose

Posted on Sunday, Aug 31, 2008 - 7:51 pm:

I just recently saw a stallion ring in some catalogue or other but for the life of me can't remember where! I was surprised to see it as I didn't no they were still used. I'll keep my eyes open; maybe I'll run across it and if I do I'll post it.

Have you ruled out any physical problems that could be causing him to DrOp all the time? We have two stallions that we show. They've been very responsive to trotting on the lead in a small circle and now just "put it up" on command. I'm surprised this little guy is willing to trot with it "all hanging out!"
Member:
ekaufman

Posted on Sunday, Aug 31, 2008 - 8:03 pm:

Are you his only handler? Do you correct him immediately and in the same way every single time he DrOps?

I have handled several stallions, and my current 6 year-old will pull it up on command and keep it up UNTIL he gets away with DrOpping once. Then the training starts almost from the beginning. And he can walk/trot/canter slapping around like nobody's business.

So I would treat this first as likely a training problem, and make sure that every handler corrects him immediately and in exactly the same way. If 30 days of this does not fix it, well, I'd be surprised. Flashing his assets in a crowd doesn't sound medical to me-- it sounds like a stallion.
New Member:
trief

Posted on Thursday, Sep 4, 2008 - 2:11 pm:

As I said at the beginning of my original letter, I have handled many stallions for many years of all breeds, shapes and sizes, for breeding, A.I. and shows. I was a stallion manager at a breeding ranch for 12 years. I have probably handled more stallions and colts than either of you have had horses in total. Outside of "cutting it off"(!!) I have tried *Everything humanely possible* that always worked on all the other colts & stallions that I have had in 39 years of owning, training, & breeding horses & ponies. I am even now totally immersing him amongst other horses at the barn & at open shows, but the exhibitors and show officials don't like seeing this stupid stallion in attendance that is going around constantly on 5 legs so they ask me to leave...! Of course at shows I have to keep the 'corrections' at a minimum as I don't want anyone to even think that I am being cruel.
If this were clinical my vet would/should have caught it. I do not like the use of hormones(Regumate) but I have heard that it really doesn't work anyway on stallions. Short of gelding this one, I am stumped.

So a stallion ring seems to be the only way that I can humanely keep him 'polite'. So please look around and try to find out where I can find one for a pony.

If I cannot find a stallion ring, nor 'fix' him, I may just give him back to his owner and tell her I have lost the battle and to try someone else or geld him.
Member:
mrose

Posted on Thursday, Sep 4, 2008 - 2:56 pm:

Jane, I doubt the part about handling more
stallions then "either of us have had in total" I can't speak for Elizabeth, but I'm 65 and have had horses my entire life including stallions, and have bred horses for over 25 yrs. with over 24 mares of our own at one time. I can totally understand your frustration with this guy; but you're sounding a little "snippy" with us. I've had a rough morning and am a little tired, so maybe I'm taking what you said wrong. I know that's easy to do when you're not talking face to face. If so, I apologize.

As you well know, horse are smart; ponies especially so imo. It is EXTREMELY frustrating when they take advantage of us and the situation, which is obviously what this guy is doing. He is well aware that you can't really correct him in the show ring. Too bad you can't find some small local shows with some understanding judges/stewards and really get after him in a show situation.

I know this may sound stupid, but have you tried a squirt gun? I've known it to work on "hard cases" before (no pun intended!) It may have been in Country Supply catalogue that I saw the rings. They might have an online catalogue. I threw mine away as I seldom order from them. I couldn't not find any in the catalogues I normally order from.
Member:
ekaufman

Posted on Thursday, Sep 4, 2008 - 4:17 pm:

Oh my.

Well I have received two specialty repro. catalogs this summer that might be the place to look, but with your experience Jane I'm certain you have already consulted those for the product you think you need. And honestly, with your pleasant request ringing in my ears, it seems too difficult to go find them right now.

For what it's worth, Sara seems to me to have the most likely explanation. I know a Grand Prix horse that won't do tempis in a show environment, and it seems likely that your trifecta horse (smart pony stallion) has found a place to safely strut his stuff.

Good luck to both of you.
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